Around The Region

SOUTH BEND -- A judge ruled that constitutional questions in other death-penalty cases are no reason to eliminate capital punishment as a potential sentence in an upcoming triple-murder trial.\nMonday, St. Joseph Superior Court Judge William T. Means also refused to grant Phillip Stroud's motion for a trial delay.\nStroud, 22, of South Bend, faces charges that he was the triggerman in the September 2000 slayings of three construction workers.\nAbout 300 prospective jurors have been summoned to answer jury questionnaires next week, with jury selection scheduled Feb. 26.\nStroud's attorneys said last month that a delay would give higher courts time to rule on cases that may render Indiana's capital-punishment law unconstitutional.\nMeans turned down that request two weeks ago.\nThe defense made another delay request last Friday, arguing that insufficient time had been granted to prepare for the trial's penalty phase, if it gets that far.\nIn refusing the latest request, Means noted that the defense previously had won a delay of several months.\nIn a letter to lawyers from both sides, Means added, "The fact that other courts in Indiana have delayed death penalty trials until either or both of the Supreme Courts of Indiana and the United States have spoken carries little weight with me."\nThe judge also said he was not influenced by a Marion County judge's decision to dismiss the death penalty in a case last year.\nStroud is charged in the slayings of Wayne Shumaker, Corby Myers and Lynn Ganger during a burglary at an upscale home near Lakevill.\nCourthouse lawn monument lawsuit faces opposition\n RICHMOND, Ind. -- A resident has started a petition drive to keep a Ten Commandments monument on the Wayne County courthouse lawn despite a federal lawsuit challenging its legality.\n Sandy Marcum said she had the support of her church, Trinity Praise and Worship Center, and several businesses.\n "I felt I could do something to have voices heard in favor of keeping the monument," Marcum told the Palladium-Item for a story published Tuesday. "I know I'm not alone in wanting to keep it."\nThe display's future, however, rests on a court ruling.\nThe Indiana Civil Liberties Union filed a lawsuit in U.S. District Court in Indianapolis on behalf of Richmond resident William Roha to have the monument removed. The lawsuit accuses Wayne County of violating the First Amendment clause against the government establishment of religion.\nThe county has until March 14 to file its response.\n"It's appropriate for people to express their opinions," Wayne County attorney Ron Cross said. "But, it's not in the public arena. It's in the legal arena."\nMarcum intends to give copies of the petition to the Wayne County commissioners and state legislators.\nCommissioners President John Catey said he welcomed the petition and calls from residents in favor of keeping the monument in place.\n"It gives support for the county not just removing it," Catey said.\nThe U.S. Supreme Court last year declined to hear the lawsuit over a similar Ten Commandments display in Elkhart, letting stand a federal appeals court ruling that the monument was unconstitutional.\nTom Dickman, another Wayne County commissioner, said he thought most residents knew the county's hands were tied on the issue.\n"We have to just let it work its way through the court system," Dickman said.\nMiss USA pageant tightens security\nGARY -- The Miss USA pageant is joining other high-profile events in tightening security because of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks.\nAll volunteers and employees involved with the March 1 Miss USA pageant will be required to have color-coded identification badges and must pass state and federal background checks.\n "It's something we need to do," Donald Thompson, peagant coordinator for the city, told the Post-Tribune of Merrillville. "We need to provide you with a sense of security, and we need to have that sense of security, too. As a result of Sept. 11, we are on a high- alert security."\n He said the federal check would identify anyone with a criminal background or facing any arrest warrants. \n Local officials will also cross-reference the local volunteers with the Miss USA organization and determine the best use for volunteers. Local officials will also create a database showing volunteers' skills and detailing in what areas a volunteer could provide assistance.\nThose waiting to have their photo taken or who were filling out paperwork to volunteer Monday evening did not seem bothered by the extra process.\nSharon Haney, a Gary supervisor for the ushers, said she was pleased with the new procedures.\n"It's taken more time, but no one is bothered," she said.\nThe pageant will be held in Gary's downtown Genesis Convention Center. Contestants are scheduled to arrive in the city Wednesday.